Osmo and Disney Make Kids' Drawings Come to Life On iPad

Little ones can express their creativity while drawing Mickey, Disney princesses, and more.

Osmo, a technology company that creates experiences for children that utilize augmented reality and artificial intelligence, partnered with Disney to create Osmo Super Studio, a toy line that lets kids draw popular Disney characters and see them come to life on their iPad screen.

The Osmo Super Studio products are recommended for kids aged 5+. The line offers three different drawing books, based on different sets of Disney characters. The Mickey & Friends book will launch first on September 4, 2018 (it's available to pre-order now on Osmo's website), followed by Disney Princess and The Incredibles 2 in October.

The Mickey & Friends book stars Mickey Mouse and other popular characters, whom children can customize by completing half-finished drawings on a special drawing surface. For instance, one picture of Mickey Mouse lets kids draw his ears and one of his shoes, as well as customize the food item in his hand. Kids can draw the characters as they traditionally look, or create something totally original.

The Osmo Super Studio platform is based on Osmo’s “Reflective AI” technology, which allows the iPad’s camera to “see” the drawings kids have created, and bring them into the digital app. While playing, the iPad sits in Osmo’s special base, and a reflector sits over the camera so the iPad can “see” what’s happening on the table/surface in front of it.

As kids play through the Mickey & Friends story, characters guide them through the app’s storyline by asking them yes or no questions. Over time, the story may ask little ones to draw different tools, toys, scenery, and food items that will be brought to life in the digital world.

If your family already owns an Osmo kit, you can purchase the Mickey & Friends book as an add-on for $19 on Osmo's website and Amazon starting today, and at Target and Best Buy starting September 4. The full set, which includes the base and the Mickey & Friends book, will be available exclusively at Apple retail stores for $59.

Finally, the base can be purchased separately on Osmo's website and Amazon. Even without any extra add-ons, the base can be used to play Osmo's Masterpiece and Newton activities using objects you probably have around the house (like a pen and paper).

Managing Editor

Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek’s Social Pro Daily. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.